Bowman: Kane, Toews Contract Talks ‘Ongoing’

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 30: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrates with teammates Andrew Shaw #65 and Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks after Kane scores a second period goal against the Los Angeles Kings in Game Six of the Western Conference Final during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Staples Center on May 30, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

(CBS) On the same day that the Blackhawks found a candidate for their second-line center position by signing Brad Richards, they kept their eye on the future as well.

Contract extension talks with stars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews are “ongoing,” Chicago general manager Stan Bowman said Tuesday. The contracts of both Kane and Toews are up at the end of next season, and while the Blackhawks hoped to have extensions completed yesterday, they remain confident a deal will be done soon. Tuesday was the first day the sides could discuss a contract extension.

Both Kane and Toews have said they want to remain in Chicago for the long term. They’re each expected to sign new contracts around $10 million per season.

“Nothing has changed from my original expectation that they’re both going to be signed,” Bowman said, according to the Chicago Tribune. “We’re looking forward to that.”